Over the years, the partnership between Silmäasema and Kiilto has grown into a strong collaboration, where ongoing dialogue and product trials form the foundation for reliable and safe hygiene solutions. The cooperation is reflected not only in high-quality products, but also in continuous expert support and product development.
The partnership between Silmäasema and Kiilto in cleaning and disinfection products began back in 2017, when Kiilto approached Silmäasema about their interest in Kiilto’s hygiene concept. The hygiene concept refers to a comprehensive set of hygiene guidelines, bringing together the areas to be cleaned within the customer’s facilities, the suitable products and their correct methods of use.
“We at Silmäasema were immediately interested! Kiilto’s hygiene concept provided us with additional expertise, training, and high-quality Finnish products,” says Minna Ventoniemi, Service Coordinator for Silmäasema’s Eye Hospital division.
At Silmäasema, Kiilto’s comprehensive hygiene concept is in use, combining high-quality products with clear instructions for cleaning different premises. Through the hygiene concept and close collaboration, Silmäasema has gained additional expertise and training to support its hygiene solutions.
Ventoniemi’s responsibilities include, among other things, matters related to instrument reprocessing in the eye hospitals as well as hygiene and aseptic practices.
Close partnership brings security, clarity and ease
Over the years, the cooperation has developed into an easy and natural two-way partnership, where mutual trust plays a key role.
“Partnership brings security. We always operate with patient safety and quality as priorities, and the collaboration ensures that we always have the right products in use. Kiilto supports us in developing and maintaining our expertise, while also keeping us up to date with developments across the entire field,” says Ventoniemi.
“In the daily work of an eye hospital, the most important things are clarity, safety and ease. Thanks to the partnership, we can always turn to Kiilto’s experts if something is unclear or if we need a recommendation for a disinfectant product suitable for a particular use or environment,” says Kaisa Raatesalmi, Service Manager at Silmäasema’s Porvoo Eye Hospital.
“Our role is to create cleanliness and support our customers. We are truly grateful for the trust placed in us, and it is rewarding to see the products we have developed helping professionals in their work. The best results come when collaboration becomes as natural as it has with Silmäasema,” says Heli De Caro-Nummelin, Key Account Manager at Kiilto.
Training for Silmäasema, product development for Kiilto
An essential part of the partnership is the training and product guidance provided by Kiilto’s experts, for example during training days and Silmäasema’s internal meetings. Silmäasema operates private and public eye hospitals, ophthalmology centres and optician outlets across Finland, and thanks to Kiilto’s nationwide representatives, support can be provided to all of them locally.
“We always receive up-to-date expert knowledge, tailored precisely for the right people. For instance, I can easily ask Heli to join a meeting, let her know who from our side will attend and what topic I would like her to cover. This also supports the on-boarding and training of our new employees. In these meetings, we can even test different products if we have found that a particular one does not suit us and we are looking for an alternative,” Ventoniemi explains.
Kiilto, in turn, receives honest and realistic feedback from Silmäasema, which has had an impact on Kiilto’s product development. Silmäasema has been involved in testing many products, including hand sanitiser dispensers, hand sanitisers and various cleaning agents.
“The collaboration is extremely valuable, because we develop products and solutions for the people who use them. Naturally, our products must comply with legislation, regulations and requirements, but the user experience is also important. Thanks to feedback, we hear directly how the products perform in the healthcare environment,” says De Caro-Nummelin.
The practice of requesting and providing feedback is yet another sign of mutual trust.
“It is truly great that we are consulted and asked whether we would like to take part in testing,” Ventoniemi says appreciatively.
Products that support everyday work
Silmäasema provides its customers with a full range of vision and eye health services – from eye glasses and other vision products to eye health examinations and surgery. Because of this wide service offering, ensuring hygiene across all locations and at every stage of service requires a variety of solutions. That is why the company uses several of Kiilto’s cleaning and disinfection products for cleaning premises and instruments, as well as for hand disinfection.
“Everyday work at Silmäasema is made easier by the fact that we have consistent practices across all our locations – both in stores and in hospitals – and only a few clear products in use. For example, with disinfecting Kiilto Pro Easydes wipes, we can clean both surfaces and devices, such as the tips of applanation tonometers used to measure eye pressure,” says Kaisa Raatesalmi.
A distinctive feature of instrument reprocessing in eye health services is that ophthalmic instruments are washed and disinfected only in a machine specifically intended for them. Silmäasema takes care of cleaning and disinfecting the devices itself.
“We have not outsourced the washing process, because we want to ensure the cleanliness and safety of the instruments ourselves,” Ventoniemi explains.
The partnership has also proven its value in exceptional situations. When an ultrasonic washer had to be introduced on a tight schedule, there was also a need to change the detergent. With the help of Kiilto’s expert, a suitable detergent – Kiilto Pro Erisan Oxy+ – was quickly identified for the new equipment.
“If a product does not work, you need to know or be able to ask what the next alternative is. Our experts can advise which products are effective against specific pathogens or work best with particular devices,” reminds De Caro-Nummelin.
The partnership between Silmäasema and Kiilto is an example of how open dialogue and shared expertise ensure the best possible solutions for every situation.
“Our collaboration is based on listening and developing together. When expertise meets practical needs, it creates solutions that truly work in the everyday life of our customers,” De Caro-Nummelin summarises.